Inspection Detail

Inspection: 105716914 - Loudoun Quarries

Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Manassas (Regional Office)- Safety 0355114

Inspection Nr: 105716914

Report ID: 0355114

Date Opened: 07/05/1988

Site Address:
Loudoun Quarries
23070 Shaw Road
Sterling, VA 20166

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 220005, Chantilly, VA 20153

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:1429

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: No Insp/Other

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 07/05/1988

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 07/07/1988

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	360305569

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 950626

Event: 07/05/1988

Employees asphyxiate when engulfed by material in sand bin

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on July 5, 1988, Employees #1, #2, and #3 entered a quarry sand bin to clear material that had built up inside and was clogging up the funnel. The bin was cone-shaped measuring 20 to 25 inches high, 12 feet in diameter, and narrowing to approximately 18 inches at the base. Material is dumped in at the top and a sifter allows finely crushed material to funnel out the bottom. Material had built up on the sides as high as the Employees' heads. They apparently entered the bin before scraping down this material and when the material broke loose, Employees #1 and #2 were completely engulfed and subsequently asphyxiated. Employee #3 apparently jumped in to try to save them and was buried up to his waist, incurring only minor injuries. The main causal factor appears to have been inadequate preparation and use of improper procedures while undertaking this task.

Keywords: SAND SILO, ASPHYXIATED, SAND, COLLAPSE, WORK RULES, CLEANING, CLOGGED, UNSTABLE SOIL

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	105716914	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
2	105716914	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
3	105716914	Non Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported

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